Sheet-feeding mechanism



P. JENNINGS JR- SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3Q. I916.

0 2 9 1 00 e m J m P 8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Emerson, (Enni E. P. JENNINGS, JR.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILIED MAR. 30, I9I6- Patented June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-S IIEET 2- V IIIIIIII II I IIIIIII II. I'llII-IIIIIII r I LI FIJIEIZIFI R H H H H 1527611501; E Jm/i/k yz/l' Chroma:

E. P. JENNINGS, JR.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

AIPPLICATION min MAR. so. 1916.

1,342,629. PatentedJune 8, 1920.

8 SHEETSSHEET}6.a 2a b 35 E. P. JENNINGS, In.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1916.

1,342,629. PatentedJune 8,1920.

8 SHEETSSHEET 4.

E. P. JENNINGS, In. SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1916.

1,342,629. v Patented June 8, 1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5- E. P. JENNINGS, In. SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION man Mn. 30, 1916.

1342,6253, Patented June 8, 1920.

a-noento'z Emerson 1 Jam/2 71:5

E. P. JENNINGS, In. SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, ms.

1,342,629; Patnted June 8,1920.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

E. P. JENNINGS, JR-

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, I916.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

INVENTOR.

l'mmsanFJnn/xz A TTORNE Y Patented J uile 8, 1920,

EMERSON P. JENNINGS, J 3., OF LEHIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

' SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Application filed March 30, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERSON P. JEN- NiiIc-s, Jr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lehighton, in the county of Carbon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to sheet feeding mechanism and is designed more particularly for automatically feeding sheets to the printing couple of a printing press and removing the same therefrom. The object of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism of this character which will be simple in its construction, positive and accurate in v its operation, and which will be wholly automatic in its operation. To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide a sheet supporting and separating device, a conveying device to take the separated sheet from the support and move the same into a predetermined position and a delivery device to remove the sheet from said predetermined position after it has been operated upon; and to so arrange and operate these mechanisms that each will efliciently perform its individual functions and that each mechanism will cooperate with the other mechanisms to automatically feed the sheets of paper in succession through a printing press in timed relation to the movement of the printing mechanism. It is also an object of the invention to provide means for retaining the sheets in proper position during the printing operation. Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is described.

Figure 1 is a side ele 'ation partly in section of a printing press showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of such a press taken between the platen and the form-bed; Fig. 3 is a side elevationcf the sheet supporting and separating device, with the supporting frame partially broken away; Fig. l is a plan .view, partly in section, of one side of the mechanism of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the separating device with the end plate and holding device separated therefrom; Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken just inside one of the frame members showing the conveying grippers in elevation and near their lowermost position; Fig. 7 is a similar view Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 8, 1920. Serial No. 87,725.

showing the conveying grippers near their upper posltlon; Fig. 8 is a perspective view pi the conveyipg grippers and their controlnng devices; Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are detalled views of the conveying grippers showmg the same in successive positions; Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the platen showing the sheet supporting device; b1g. 14 1s a sectional view of this supporting device; Fig. 15 is a separated detall view of the actuating pawls for the sup porting device; F ig. 16 is a detail view of one of the bearings therefor; and Fig. 17 is a detail of one of the jaws of the delivery gripper.

11 carrying out my invention I provide separate mechanisms for performing the several operations, that is, I provide a mechanism which is complete in itself for separating a single sheet from a pile of reg istered sheets; I provide conveying devices for taking the separated sheet and placing it in printing position; I provide devices for holding the sheet in printing position dnring the printing operation; and I provide other devices for moving the sheet from its printing position and delivering it on the receiving platform. These mechanisms are so constructed and arranged that they cooperate one with the other to feed successive sheets of paper through the press, and the several mechanisms are so operated, preferably from a movable part of the press, that the operation of each mechanism is in perfect synchronism with the movements of the other mechanisms and with the movements of the printing mechanism. By providing separate but cooperating mechanisms to accomplish the several functions of the press I have been able to greatly simplify the construction and the operation of the mechanism as a whole and have produced a device which is not only very simple in its construction but is very highly eflicient in its operation.

In the accompanying drmvings I have illustrated the invention as applied to a bed and platen press in which the form bed moves in a horizontal right line toward and away from the platen, but it will be under stood that this press is chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention is applicable to presses of other tvpes. As shown in the drawings the press as a whole comprises a main frame 1 consistin O of side members snaced apart and tied to gether by tie rods and connecting devices and serving to support the various parts of the printing and feeding mechanisms. A. normally stationary platen 2 is mounted near one end of the press and a form-bed 3 is mounted for movement toward and away from the platen. In the type of press here shown the form-bed has combined therewith an inking drum 4. The combined form-bed and inking drum is provided at its ends with trunnions mounted in guide blocks 5 which are slidably mounted in guideways 6 formed in the side walls of the main frame 1. These trunnions are connected by pitmen? with crank wheels 8 which are here shown as gears meshing with pinions 9 mounted on a shaft 10 to which power may be applied in any suitable manner. The press is provided with a roll feed mechanism 11 for feeding a continuous web of paper, or other material, to the press. This roll feed mechanism is normally mounted at that end of the press above the platen. It is movably mounted, however, in the present instance upon tracks 12, so that it can be moved into an inoperative position to permit of sheets being fed to the printing couple. In Fig. 1 of the drawings this roll feed mechanism is shown pushed to the inner end of the tracks above the combined form-bed and inking drum where it is inoperative and is out of the way of the sheet feeding mechanism, which will be hereinafter described. In these drawings I have illustrated only the supporting frame and track for the roll feed mechanism, because the details of this mechanism do not enter into the present invention. A roll feed mechanism of this type is shown and described in the patent to Cartwright, No. 1,069,7(Sa of August 12, 1913.

The sheet feeding mechanism which I have provided is, in the present instance, readily removable so that it can be substituted for the roll feed mechanism. Obviously, however, the removability is not essential to the operation of the mechanism and it could be permanently built into the press without departing in any sense from the invention. By making it removable I have provided the press with automatic means for feeding either a continuous web of material or separated sheets of material and have thereby greatly increased its utility. As has been stated, the feeding mechanism comprises a sheet-supporting and separating device. This device is preferably of sucha character that it will separate one edge of the lowermost sheet of the pile from the next succeeding sheet and will turn this separated edge at an angle to the plane of the succeeding sheet so that it can be read ily grasped by conveying devices and with drawn from beneath the pile. In the present arrangement of the mechanism this sup- -which, in the present porting device is carried by a supplemental frame 13 which is mounted on the side members of the main frame. Mounted on this frame is a supporting plate 14 which is of a length less than the length of the supporting frame. Mounted on the frame and spaced away from the end of the supporting plate 14: is a sheet-separating device which forms a part of the support for the sheets and serves to separate one sheet from the pile of sheets. This separating device is preferably suction operated and as here shown comprises a series of suction blocks 15, each of which is provided with one or more ports 16, each of which communicates with a suitable suction apparatus. The several blocks are carried by-a suction tube 16 which extends transversely of the-sheet and is mounted at its ends upon the supplemental frame 13, as will be hereinafter described. As here shown the several suction blocks and the tube are formed integral and the tube, which here forms the body portion of what may be termed the suction bar, is connected by means of a flexible tube or conduit 17 with the suction apparatus, instance, comprises a cylinder 18 mounted on the frame of the press and having therein a piston 19 which is connected by means of a rod or bar 20 with the form-bed 3, the connection being preferably made with the slide block. or head, in which one end of the combined form-bed and inking drum is mounted. The suction blocks 15 are shown as projecting on one side of the axis of the suction bar and as having their upper faces flat to form a flat support for the sheets. The ports '16 are arranged in these flat portions of the blocks, preferably near the outer edges thereof, and are closed by the lowermost sheet of the pile when the blocks are in their uppermost positions. To cause the ends of the sheets to press firmly upon the suction blocks and thus more effectually close the ports therein I prefer to elevate the rear edge of the pile of sheets which is carried by the support and I have here shown the supporting plate 14; as curved after the manner shown in the drawings and as having its rear end secured to a rod 21 mounted in the supplemental frame 13. This plate is of a resilient metal and owing to the manner of its mount ing is capable of yielding movement.

To separate the edge of the lowermost sheet from the pile of sheets, both rotatory movement and bodily movement are imparted to the suction bar. ment turns the edge of the sheet downward and the bodily movement carries the bar rearwardly in a plane substantiallyparallel with the lowermost sheet and prevents the bar from exerting any pull on the sheet, which would tend to displace the sheet bodily with relation to the pile of sheets or to The rotatory moveuncover the ports in the suction bar, or both. The desired movement may be imparted to the suction bar in various ways. In the construction here shown, the ends of the suction bar are provided with trunnions 22 which are rotatably mounted in bearings in the lower ends of the guide rods 28, and which extend beyond said bearings into slots 23, formed in the frame members 24, .lidably mounted on the opposite side members of the supplemental frame 13. Secured to the suction bar, preferably on the inner sides of the guide rods 28, are pinions 25 which mesh with idle pinions 26 which are carried by downwardly extending portions of the respective guide rods, and which, in turn, mesh with fixed racks 27 secured to the side walls of the supplemental frame 13. The trunnions of the suction bar are held normally in the upper portions of the slots 23, in the slidable frame members, by springs 31 which are coiled about the rods 28 between suitable stops thereon, such as the nuts 30, and fixed parts of the supple mental frame, such as the lower bearing for the guide rods 28. W hen the suction bar is in its normal position the springs are under tension, and, consequently, when upward movement is imparted to the slidable frame members, the trunnions are retained in the upper portions of the slots and caused to move with the frame members, thus imparting bodily movement to the suction bar and causing the geared connections between the suction bar and the fixed racks 27 to impart rotatory movement to the suction bar. Adjustable stops serve to regulate the amount of movement which may be imparted to the rods 28. In the present instance the nuts 30 are arranged to engage the upper bearings 29 for the guide rods and thus limit the movement of the rods. After the movement of the rods has been checked, the slidable frame members may continue their movement for the length of the slots in which the trun nions of the suction bar extend, this further movement serving to move a holding device into engagement with the down turned edge of the sheet, as will be hereinafter described.

Upward longitudinal movement may be imparted to the slidable frame members in any suitable manner, so long as it is properly timed with relation to the other parts of the mechanism. In the mechanism here illustrated, this movement is secured by a suitable connection with the movable form-bed, and to this end each slidable f 'ame member, or bar, 24, is provided with a bracket 33 on which is mounted a projection, here shown in the form of a roller 34, which projection or roller is adapted to enter a cam groove 35 formed in a cam bar 36 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement on the side member of the main frame 1. This cam is preferably operated from a moving part of the press and in the present instance, is operated by the movement of the form-bed itself. For this purpose, I have secured to the cam bar a vertical rack 37 which meshes with a pinion 38 on a shaft 39, journaled in the side members of the main frame 1, and this shaft is provided with a pinion 40 which meshes with a reciprocating rack which, in turn, is connected with the formbed. In the present instance, this reciprocating rack is formed by providing the piston rod or bar 20 with teeth, as shown at 41. Thus it will be apparent that the movement of the formbed toward the platen will cause the cam bars to move downward, while the outward movement of the form-bed will cause the cam bars to move upward. The shape of the cam grooves 35 is such that the upward movement of the cams will impart a rearward, or upward movement to the projections 34 and, consequently, to the slidable frame members by which these projections are carried. This movement results in the suction bars being carried rearwardly and rotated in the manner described. The movement of the suction bar is checked with the edge of the sheet turned down in a predetermined position. The cams, however, continue to move the slidable frame members 24 rearwardly after the suction bar has ceased to move, this being permitted by the slotted connections between the bar and the slidable frame members, and this movement carries a holding device or bar 43 into a position to hold the edge of the sheet in its downturned position when the suction has been released. The holding device 43 is here shown as a connecting bar secured at its ends to, and serving to connect together, the lower ends of the slidable frame members 24 and it is provided with a series of fingers 44 which are moved close to the downturned edge of the sheet and serve to hold the same in this positionv It will be noted that the fingers 44 of the holding device are arranged in pairs with the space between each pair arranged to register with the space between the corresponding suction blocks, thus permitting the gripping devices, which will be hereinafter described, to grip the paper above the edges of the suction blocks and holding device. The sheets of the pile are retained in their proper positions by means of side frame members 45 and an end plate or frame'member 46 which has a portion extending slightly below the upper surfaces of the suction blocks when the latter are in their normal or uppermost positions. This lower portion of the plate 46 is, however, in the form of fingers 47 which are spaced apart to permit the fingers 44 of the retaining plate 43 to pass between them as this plate is moved into its operative position. It will thus be noted that the separat ing device engages one end of the lowermost sheet of a registered pile and, because of the two movements which are imparted to the suction bar, this edge of the sheet is separated from the pile and turned downward without withdrawing the same from beneath the pile. Consequently, the sheet is retained in an exact predetermined position and, moreover, there is no resistance to the turning movement which will tend to prevent the movement of the sheet and cause the ports of the suction block to be uncovered.

Cooperating with the separating and turning device is a suitable conveying device which engages the downturned edge of the lowermost sheet, withdraws the same from the pile and moves it directly from the pile to printing position. This conveying device may take different forms but I have here illustrated a form which has proven efficient in service. As here shown, it comprises a series of pairs of gripping jaws, the two jaws of each pair being capable of movement relatively one to the other so that either set of jaws can be moved relatively to the other set of j awst These jaws are carried by a shaft 48 which extends lengthwise of' the platen and is mounted for vertical movement along the face of the platen. Preferably, the shaft 48 is mounted in I brackets 49 carried by the racks 37 for the cam bars so that it moves in synchronism with the form-bed. The inner jaws 50 of each pair, that is, the jaws adjacent to the face of the platen, are rigidly secured to the shaft 48, while the outer jaws 51 of each pair are rotatably mounted on this shaft and are connected one to the other in such a manner as to cause them to move simultaneously. As here shown an outer shaft 52 is rotatably mounted upon the inner shaft 48 and has the outer jaws 51 rigidly secured thereto. This outer shaft is shown as made up of a series of sections. and the outer jaws are )rovided with hub-like portions 54 to receive the adjacent ends of the respective sections, and by rigidly securing these hubportions of the jaws to the respective sections, the several sections are rigidly connected together. Both jaws of each pair have depending portions 55 between which are arranged springs 56 which tend to move the jaws one toward the other. Separate means are provided for locking the two shafts and, consequently, their jaws, against movement. Tn the form here shown the shaft 48 has rigidly secured to one end thereof, beyond the bracket 49, a locking plate 57 which has a curved end portion and is provided with a notch or recess 58 to receive a tooth 59 carried by, and forming a part of, a detent 60 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 49 near the curved end of the locking plate. This detent is provided with a trip arm 61 arranged beyond the tooth 59 and adapted to engage a projection 62 to move the detent out of engagement with the locking plate as the conveying grippers approach the lower limit of their movement. The detent is spring-actuated so that it is held normally in engagement with the locking plate. When the tooth is not in the notch 58 it bears against the curved surface of the end of the plate so that the latter can be moved to bring the notch into alinement with the tooth. Any suitable spring control may be used, but in the present instance I. have used a spring-actuated plunger 63 which is mounted on the bracket in the rear of the detent. A similar locking device is provided for the outer shaft 52 and is preferably arranged at that edge of the platen opposite the locking device for the inner shaft. This second locking device also comprises a locking plate, which is shown at 64, and which has a notch 65 to receive the tooth 66 of a detent 67 pivotally mounted on the bracket which carries the adjacent end of the shaft. In this instance, however, the detent, 67, is pivotally mounted between its ends and is provided with a trip arm 68 at that end opposite the end which carries the tooth 65. This trip arm is adapted to engage a trip block 69 mounted at the edge of the platen, as will be hereinafter described. The detent 67 is, likewise, spring-actuated after the manner of the detent 60 so that it is held normally in engagement with the locking plate. Rigidly secured to the inner shaft 48 and, in the present instance, at that end adjacent to the locking plate 57 is an actuating arm 70 adapted to engage a trip block 71 and positively move the shaft 48 about its axis in a direction to carry the in ner aws 50 toward the face of the platen. The outer shaft is also provided with an actuating arm which is here shown at 72 and is rigidly secured to that end of the outer shaft opposite the arm 70. The actuating device for the outer shaft is arranged to engage a trip block 73 and positively rotate the outer shaft in a direction to move the outer jaws outward or away from the face of the platen. As has been stated, this conveying device is carried by the vertically moving racks which are actuated in synchronism with the form-bed, and the stops which control the action of the gripping devices are so arranged that the paper will be gripped and released at the proper times during the movement of the conveying device. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8 the conveying device is at the upper limit of its movement and the jaws have just closed upon the downturned edge of a sheet of paper, here shown at 74. The further movement of the printing mechanisn will cause the gripping devices to move downward, drawing the sheet from beneath the pile on the supporting device and carryin the same in a vertical position along the Iace of the platen. The inner jaws are locked against movement and the outer jaws are held in engagement with the paper by means of the springs 56. As the gripping devices travel downward and the paper reaches printing position the actuating arm 72 for the outer shaft will engage the trip block 73 and rock the outer shaft to move its jaws outward against the tension of the springs thus releasing the sheet and permitting the same to be supported on suitable devices which will be hereinafter described. The sheet is released without interrupting the movement of the gripping devices which continue to move downward until they clear the lower end of the platen and occupy positions in which they will not interfere with the form-bed as the form is moved into engagement with the sheet. As the device approaches the lower limit of its movement the trip arm 61 of the detent 60 engages the trip block 62 and moves the detent out of locking engagement with the locking plate 57, thereby releasing the inner shaft and permitting the same and its jaws to be moved by the springs 56 to carry the inner jaws into engagement with the outer jaws which are now locked in their outer positions. The grippmg devices are thus positioned in a' plane somewhat removed from the face of the platen and ample clearance is afforded between the platen and the grippin devices as the latter travel upward to secure another sheet. As the gripping devices travel upward the sheet separating and turning device is being operated to turn down the edge of another sheet and as the gripping devices approach this downturned edge the actuating arm for the inner shaft rides over the trip block 71 and moves the inner jaws to their innermost positions, where they are I locked by the lockinvdevices. The jaws are thus opened and the further upward movement of the gripping devices causes them to embrace the downturned edge of the sheet and during the last portion of the upward movement of the gripping devices the trip arm 68 of the detent 67 rides over the trip block 69 and releases the outer shaft so that the outer aws are moved, by the springs 56, toward the inner jaws and into gripping engagement with the aper. The further movement of the printing mechanism causes the downward movement of the conveyingdevices and the cycle of operations just described is repeated.

Any suitable support may be pronided to engage the lower edge of the sheet and sup port the same in front of the platen. This device, however, must be of such a character that it will not interfere either with the delivery devices to be hereinafter described or with the movement of the form. In the present instance I have provided a supporting device which moves into and out of support ing position and which is of such a character that it will not interfere with the movement of any other part of the mechanism. In the form here shown this device comprises a shaft 75 which is mounted below and adja cent to the lower edge of the platen for both rotary movement and bodily transverse movement. To this end it is rotatably mounted in elongated bearings 175 secured to the lower edge of the platen. Mounted on the shaft and arranged at intervals along its length are a plurality of supporting devices so arranged that when the shaft is in its normal position they will project beyond the face of the platen, and beyond the tympan carried thereby, and will receive the lower edge of the sheet which is on the platen and limit its downward movement. Each device preferably comprises a supporting finger 76 rigidly secured to the shaft, and I have also shown each supporting device as having a second finger 76 which is curved upwardly to a point in front of the tympan so that it can be moved into engag ment with the lower portion'of the sheet to hold the same against the t mpan. A spring 77 coiled about the shaft normally retains the same in a position to support the fingers 76 in substantially horizontal positions, and springs 177 press against tae slide bars 277 connected with the shaft and hold the shaft normally in its foremost position so that the fingers 76* will be spaced a short distance from the tympan. Secured to the shaft and arranged in the path of a part carried by the form bed, preferably the type chase, are two slide bars 176 secured to the shaft near its outer ends and adapted to force the same rearwardly against the tension of the springs 177. Fingers 182 are rigidly secured to collars 181, mounted on the shaft, and extend through suitable guides carried by the platen. Each collar has a shoulder 183 adapted to be engaged by a resilient catch 18a to retain the shaft in its rearmost position. The rotary movement of the shaft is so controlled that the fingers 76 will be turned downward, out of the path of the sheet, during the first portion of the movement of the form bed away from the platen. To this end a yieldable pawl 78 is mounted on the reduced end of the shaft 75 and is arranged to be actuated by a cam plate 79, mounted on the lower end of one of the rack bars 37, see Fig. 8. To permit of this movement the pawl is provided with. an elongated opening 180 to receive the reduced end of the shaft 75 and is pivotally mounted at a point below the axis of the shaft. Preferably, this is accomplished by mounting on the shaft a collar 179 having a pin 178 on which the pawl is mounted. A spring 186 tends to hold the pawl normally in its outermost position in the path of the cam plate '79. On the upward movement of the rack bar and cam plate the pawl will yield without operating the shaft. The arrangement of the cam plate is such that the first downward movement of the rack will cause the cam to engage the opposite side of the pawl and rock the same downward, thus turning the fingers 76 downward out of the path of the sheet. Rigidly secured to the shaft are cams 1S5 arranged to engage the resilient catches 184 and move the same out of the path of the shoulder 183 when the shaft is rotated, thus releasing the shaft and permitting the springs 174 to move the same forwardly.

Means are also provided to hold the sheet firmly against the face of the platen during the printing operation. This device may be known as a platen gripper or an impression gripper and comprises a pair of strips or fingers 80 depending in front of the platen and arranged to be moved into engagement with the lateral edges of the sheet before the form-bed comes into contact with the sheet. As here shown, the fingers are adjustably mounted on a transverse bar 81 which is secured to, and supported at its ends by, longitudinally extending slide bars 82 which are mounted in hearings on the upper portion of the platen. frame. One, or both, of the slide bars 82 is provided with a laterally extending projection, such as a roller 83, adapted to enter a cam slot 84: in a bar 85 which is secured to and moves with the cam bars 36. The bar 85 extends beyond the side of the bar 36 and the slot 84 opens through the lower portion thereof, so that on the downward movement of the rack and cam bar the projection 83 will enter the slot in the projecting bar 85 and, because of the shape of the slot, the slide bars will be moved rearwardly and the impression grippers or fingers 80 will be moved toward the platen and into engagement with the sheet. T hese grippers will remain in engagement with the sheet and support the same until the form-bed has withdrawn, when the action of the slotted bar 85 will move the fingers into their inoperative positions and permit the sheet to be removed.

To remove the sheet from its printing position on the face of the platen and deliver the same to a suitable receiving platform I have provided a delivery device which is also actuated from the printing mechanism and is timed to operate in synchronism with the other mechanisms. As here shown, this delivery device comprises a series of delivery grippers which. are tied together in such a manner that they are caused to operate as a single device. In the present construction this device is shown as comprising a pair of arms 86 which form a swinging frame and are rigidly secured to a shaft 87, which shaft is connected with the shaft 39 in such a manner that rocking movement will be imparted thereto as the racks 37 move up and down. In the present instance, the shaft 8? has secured thereto a sprocket wheel 88 which is connected by means of a sprocket chain 89 with a sprocket wheel 90 secured to the shaft 39. The arms 86 are so shaped that when forward rocking movement is im parted to the shaft 87 the ends of the arms will be carried to positions beneath the platen, and when rearward rocking movement is imparted to the shaft 87, the ends of the arms will be swung rearwardly to a position remote from the platen. The grippers are carried by the lower ends of the arms 86. In the present construction a bar 91 is rigidly secured to the arms near their ends and is provided with a series of forwardly extending fingers 92 which constitute the fixed jaws of the grippers. Mounted in the arms 86, near the rear edge of the bar 91, is a rod or shaft 93 on which are mounted a plurality of movable gripper jaws 94, there being one of these jaws to cooperate with each finger or fixed jaw 92. Each movable jaw 94 has a rearwardly extending portion, such as a finger 95, which is rigidly secured to the jaw. The rearwardly extending portions, or fingers, 95, of the jaws are tied together by a bar 96 and each finger extends a short distance beyond this bar. Mounted in the arms 86, in the rear of the tie bar 9b, is a shaft 97 having rigidly secured thereto a series of fingers 98 corresponding in number and arrangement to the rearwardly extending fingers of the movable gripper jaws. The corresponding fingers 95 and 98 are so arranged with relation to each other that they will be in alinement one with the other when the movable gripper jaws are in a position between their open and closed positions. Consequently, when the jaws are closed, or are fully opened, the fingers 95 and 98 will be out of alinement. A spring 99 is coiled about each pair of fingers, 95 and 9S, and is so arranged that its tension will be greatest when the fingers are in alinement, hence the spring will tend to hold the fingers out of alinement on whichever side of the center they may have been moved, thereby holding the jaws either in their open or closed positions as the case may be. Movement may be imparted to the movable jaws in any suitable manner. As

here shown an arm 100 is mounted on the rod or shaft 93 and is rigidly connected with the tie bar 96. A curved arm 120 is mounted on the shaft 97 and has one end connected with the arm 100 in the rear of the tie bar 96, the connection being a loose one to permit of a sliding movement as well as a pivotal movement. This curved arm extends rearwardly and upwardly and is connected at its upper end, preferably by a pin and slot connection, with an arm 121, which is pivotally mounted and which cooperates with the arm 120 to form a toggle. Preferably, the upper arm 121 of the toggle is mouned on a shaft 122 journaled in bearings carried by the arms 86. Means are provided for imparting rocking movement to the shaft 122, thereby actuating the toggle to open or close the jaws. This rocking movement is controlled by the position of the awe, and to this end I have, in the present construction, provided the shaft 122 with a trip finger 123 which is arranged between two stops, 12-1- and 125, carried by one of the bearing brackets 126 for the shaft 87. These stops are so arranged that as the jaws approach the limit of their movement toward the platen, the trip arm 123 will engage the stop 124 and cause the toggle to e operated to close the jaws, and as the jaws approach the limit of their movement away from the platen, the finger 123 will engage the stop 125 to operate the toggle to open the jaws, thus releasing the sheet and allowing it to drop upon a suitable receiving platform or table. The outward or opening movement of the jaws is limited by a suit able controlling device, and in the present instance I have provided the arms 86 with guide pins 127 on which the tie bar 96 is guided and which are provided with nuts 128 arranged to limit the outward movement of the tie bar and hence the opening movement of the jaws.

The organization of the mechanism and the manner of operating the same is such that in the operation of the press a pile of sheets may be placed upon the support and the press started, with the result that these sheets will be fed automatically to the printing couple and then delivered to the receiving platform. The operation has been stated in connection with the description of the several parts of the mechanism and it will be apparent that as the form-bed withdraws the sheet separating device operates to turn down the edge of the lowermost sheet and the conveying grippers grip this sheet just as the form-bed reaches the outer limit of its movement. Upon the return movement of the form the sheet is withdrawn from the pile and carried downwardly into printing position where it is released and supported by the supporting fingers while the conveying fingers move on to a point below the platen. As the form approaches the platen the impression grippers take hold of the sheet and hold it firmly in position to re ceive the impression. Upon the completion of the impression and during the outward movement of the form-bed the delivery grippers are moved into a position to receive the sheet and are caused to grip the same. The sheet is then released by its supporting and retaining devices so that the delivery grippers may withdraw it from the press and dcliver it on the receiving platform. The mechanisms are all operated from a single source of power and this source of power is a moving part of the press, the form-bed, thus making it a comparatively simple matter to so construct and arrange the mechanisins that the T will operate in perfect synchronism.

The several parts of the mechanism herein described, other than the conveying mechanism, are not specifically claimed in this application, separate applications for patent having been filed for these parts of the mechanism as follows: sheet separating device, filed Oct. 27th, 1916, Ser. No. 127,993; delivery grippers, No. 129,324; and platen grippers, patented Jan. 15th, 1918, Ser- No. 1,253,248.

Having shown and described one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction as various modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bed and platen printing press, the combination with a printing couple comprising a normally stationary member having its face in a substantially vertical plane, a support for a pile of sheets arranged above said stationary member and a device to separate the edge of the lowermost sheet of said pile of sheets said pile, of a conveying device to engage the separated edge or" said lowermost sheet and move said sheet from beneath said pile into printing position with relation to said stationary member, and to release said sheet in said printing position, and another device operating in timed relation to the first mentioned device to engage said sheet and remove it from printing position.

2. In a bed and platen printing press, the combination with a printing couple comprising a normally stationary member having its face in a substantially vertical plane, a support for a pile of sheets arranged above said stationary member and a device to separate the edge of the lowermost sheet of said. pile of sheets from said pile, of a conveying device to engage the separated edge of said lowermost sheet and move said sheet from beneath said pile into printing position with relation to said stationary member, and to release said sheet in said printing position, and another device to engage the lower edge of said sheet while it is in printing position and move the same downwardly away from said stationary member.

3. In a rinting press, the combination, with a pril dig couple, of a device for separating one edge of the lowermost sheet of a filed Nov. 3d, 1916, Sen

pile of sheets from said pile, a conveying device to engage said separated sheet and move the same from beneath the pile into a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, and another device to engage said sheet while it is in printing position and remove the same from between the members of said printing coupie.-

4. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple, one member of which is capable of bodily movement toward and away from the other, of a separating device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move one edge of said sheet away from said pile, of a conveying device to ,engage the separated edge of said sheet and move the sheet from beneath said pile into printing position with relation to the last mentioned member of said printing couple and there release the same, another device to engage said sheet while in such printing position and move the same'away from said member of said printing couple, and means to operate all of said devices in synchronism with the movable member of said printing couple.

5. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is capable of bodily movement toward and away from the other member, of a separating device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move one edge of said sheet away from said pile, a conveying device to engage the separated edge of said sheet and move the sheet from beneath said pile into a position between the members of said printing couple and there release the same, another device to engage said sheet and remove the same from between the members of said printing couple, and operative connections between said devices and movable member of said printing couple to cause said devices to operate in timed relation to the movement of said movable member.

6. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which has bodily movement relatively to the other, of a conveying device to engage a sheet of paper or the like and move the same into a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, supporting devices to 'receive and support the sheet when it is released by said conveying devices, means to actuate said supporting device to cause it in turn to release said sheet, and another device to engage said sheet and move the same past said supporting device and from between the members of said printing couple.

7. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which has bodily movement relatively to the other, of a conveying device to engage a sheet of paper or the like and move the same into a position between the members of said prin ing couple and release the same, supporting devices to receive and support the sheet when it is released by said conveying devices, means to actuate said supporting device to cause it in turn to release said sheet, another device to engage said sheet and move the same past said supporting device and from between the members of said printing couple, and an operative connection between said devices and the movable member of said printing couple.

8. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, of a device to move a sheet of paper, or the like, across one end of one member of said printing couple and into printing position with relation to said member and there release the same, a supporting device arranged near that edge of said member opposite the first mentioned edge thereof to receive the sheet and support the same after it has been released by the first mentioned device, means to actuate said supporting device to cause it in turn to release the sheet, and a device to engage the sheet and move it past said supporting device after it has been released thereby.

9,. In a printing press, the combination,

with a printing couple, one member of which is bodily movable relatively to the other, of a conveying device to engage a sheet of paper or the like, move the same into a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, a supporting device to receive and support the sheet after it is re: leased by said conveying device, a device to engage the sheet and retain the same in printing position while an impression is being taken, means to actuate said supporting device to release said sheet, and another device to engage said sheet and move the same from between the members of said printing couple.

- 10. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is bodily movable relatively to the other, of a conveying device to engage a sheet of paper or the like, move the same into a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, a supporting device to receive and support the sheet after it is released by said conveying device, a device to engage the sheet and retain the same in printing position while an impression is being taken, means to actuate said supporting device to release said sheet, another device to engage said sheet andmove the same from between the members of said printing couple, and operative connections between said several devices and the movable member of said printing couple.

11. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is capable of bodily movement relatively to the other member, of a device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and separate one edge thereof from said pile, a conveying device to engage the separated edge of said lowermost sheet, withdraw said sheet from beneath said pile, move the same to a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, a supporting device to receive and support the sheet after it is released by said conveying device, a device to retain the sheet in printing position while an impression is being taken, means to cause said supporting device to release said sheet, and another device to engage said sheet and remove the same from; between the members of the printing couple.

12. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is capable of bodily movement relatively to the other member, of a device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and separate one edge thereof from said pile, a conveying device to engage the separated edge of said lowermost sheet to withdraw said sheet from beneath said pile, move the same to a position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, a supporting device to receive and support the sheet after it is released by said conveying device, a de *ice to retain the sheet in printing position while an impression is being taken, means to cause said supporting device to release said sheet, and a delivery device to remove the sheet from between the members of the printing couple, and an operative connection between the several devices and the movable member of said printing couple.

13. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, of conveying grippers to engage a sheet of paper, or the like, and move the same into printing position with relation to one of the members of said printing couple and there release the same, a device to receive aid sheet and support the same after it has been released by said conveying grippers, means to actuate said supporting device to release the sheet of paper after the impression has been taken, and delivery grippers to engage said sheet and remove the same after it has been released by said supporting device.

14. In a printing press, the combination 'ith a printing couple, one member or" which is movable toward and away from the other, of conveying grippers to engage a sheet of paper, or the like, and move the same into printing position with relation to one of the members of said printing couple and there release the same, a device to receive said sheet and support the same after it has been released by said conveying grippers, means to move said supporting device out of the path of said sheet after the impression has been taken, and to move said sheet past said supporting device.

15. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, of a separating device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move one edge thereof away from the pile, conveying grippers to grip the separated edge of said sheet, withdraw the sheet from beneath the pile, move the same into position between the members of said printing couple and there release the same, means to support the sheet in printing position during the taking of an impression, and delivery grippers to engage the sheet and remove the same from between the members of said printing couple after said impression has been taken.

16. In a printing press, the combination, with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, of separating device to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move one edge thereof away from the pile, conveying grippers to grip the separated edge of said sheet, withdraw the sheet from beneath the pile, move the same into position between the members of said printing couple and release the same, means to support the sheet in printing position during the taking of an impression, delivery grippers to engage the sheet and remove the same from between the members of said printing couple after said impression has been taken, and an actuating device connected to and movable with the movable member of said printing couple to actuate said separating device and said grippe rs.

17. in a printing press, the combination with a printing couple comprising a normally stationary member and a member movable toward and from said stationary member, of means for supporting a pile of sheets near one edge or" said stationary member and for separating one edge of the lower most sheet from said pile of sheets, grippers mounted for movement a ross the face of said stationary member to engage the separated edge of said sheet and move the same from said pile into printing position with relation to said stationary member, and delivery grippers movable toward and from one edge of said stationary member to withdraw the sheet after the impression has been taken.

18. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple comprising a stationary member and a member movable to ward and from said stationarv member. grippers mounted for mcvemem across the face of said stationary member to take a sheet of paper or the like from a fixed position at one edge of said stationary member and move the sz me into printing position with relation to said member, means to cause said grippers to release said sheet before they have completed their movement, a device to engage the lowermost edge of said sheet and support the same after it has been released, and delivery grippers to engage said sheet while it is in printing position and remove the same from said position after the impression has been taken.

19. In a press, a normally stationary platen and a form-bed movable toward and away from said platen, a support for a pile of sheets arranged above said platen and comprising a device to separate the lowermost sheet from the pile of sheets, a conveying device to engage said separated sheet, withdraw the same from beneath said pile and move the same downwardly into printing position, other mechanism to deliver said sheet from said press after the completion of the printing operation, and means to operate said separating device and said conveying device in synchronism with said movement of said movable member.

20. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, of a sheet feeding mechanism comprising a separating device, a conveying device, and a delivery device, operating means for said sheet feed mechanism consisting of a reciprocatory rack, a shaft, and a pinion mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack, and operative connections between said shaft and the several devices of said feeding mechanism.

21. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, and a suction operated device, of a sheet conveying mechanism, operating means for said sheet conveying mechanism consisting of a rack, a shaft, an operative connection between said shaft and said conveying mechanism, a pinion mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack, a piston mounted on said rack and a cylinder in which said piston operates, said cylinder being connected with said suction operated device.

22. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other and a suction operated device, of a sheet conveying mechanism, an operating means for said sheet conveying mechanism comprising a rack connected with the movable member of said printing couple, a shaft, an operative connection between said shaft and said conveying mechanism, a pinion mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack, a piston carried by said rack, and a cylinder in which said piston operates, said cylinder being connected with said suction operated device.

23. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and away from the other, and a suction operated device, of a sheet conveying mechanism, operating means for said sheet conveying mechanism comprising a reciprocatory member, an operative connection between said reciprocatory member and said conveying mechanism, a piston mounted on said reciprocatory member, and a cylinder in which said piston operates, said cylinder being connected with said suction operated device.

24. The combination with a printing couple, comprising a normal stationary member having its face in a substantially vertical plane and a movable member, of means for supporting a pile of sheets above said stationary member with one edge of said pile of sheets extending beyond the plane of the face of said stationary member, means for separating the edge of the lowermost sheet from said pile and moving said edge of said sheet substantially into the plane of the face of said stationary member, means for gripping said edge of said sheet, withdrawing the sheet from said pile and conveying it to printing position between the members of said printing couple.

25. The combination with a printing couple, comprising a normally stationary member having its face in a substantially vertical plane and a movable member, of means for supporting a pile ofsheets above said stationary member with the edge of said pile of sheets extending beyond the plane of the face of said stationary member, means for separating the edge of the lowermost sheet from said pile and moving said edge of said sheet substantially into the plane of the face of said stationary member, means for gripping said edge of said sheet, withdrawing the sheet from said pile and conveying it to printing position between the members of said printing couple, and means for removing said sheet from printing position after it has received the impression.

26. The combination with a printing couple, comprising a normally stationary member having its face in a substantially vertical plane, and a movable member, of means for supporting a pile of sheets above said stationary member, one edge of said pile of sheets extending beyond the plane of the face of said stationary member, means for separating one edge of the lowermost sheet from said pile, and conveying grippers mounted for reciprocatory movement across the face of said stationary member and adapted to engage said sheet and move it into printing position with relation to said stationary member.

27. The combination with a printing couple, comprising. a normally stationary member and a movable member, of means for supporting a pile of sheets near one edge of said stationary member and for separating one edge of the lowermost sheet from the pile, and conveying grippers having movement across the face of said stationary member to engage the separated edge of the sheet, withdraw the sheet from the pile, and move the same into printing position with relation-to said stationary member.

28. The combination with a printing couple, comprising a normally stationary member and amovable member, of means for supporting a pile of sheets near one edge of said stationary member and for separating one edge of the lowermost sheet from the pile, conveying grippers having movement across the face of said stationary member to engage the separated edge of the sheet, withdraw the sheet from the pile, and move the same into printing position with relation to said stationary member, and delivery grippers to engage the sheet after the impression has been taken and withdraw the same across that edge of said stationary member opposite said supporting means.

29. The combination with a printing press having a normally stationary flat platen and a flat form bed movable in a right line toward and from said platen, of a sheet separating device, a sheet conveying device to move the separated, sheet into printing position and release the same in that position, and a sheet delivery device to remove the sheet from printing position.

30. The combination with a printing press having a flat platen and a flat form bed, one of said members having movement in a right line toward and from the other member, and inking rollers rotating about said form, of means for separating a sheet from a pile of sheets, and means for moving said sheet to and from printing position.

81. The combination with a printing press having a normally stationary vertical flat platen, a flat form bed movable in a horizontal plane toward and from said platen, and inking rollers rotating about said form bed, of means for taking a sheet from a pile of sheets and for moving said sheet to and from printing position.

32. The combination with a printing press having a normally stationary vertical flat platen, a flat form bed movable in a right line toward and from said platen, and inking rollers rotating about said form bed, of a device arranged above said platen to separate a sheet from a pile of sheets, conveying grippers movable between said platen and said form bed to move the separated sheet to printing position, and delivery grippers to move said sheet. from printing position.

33. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a paper gripping device comprising a shaft, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, a

series of pairs of gripper jaws, each pair of jaws having one member secured to said shaft and the other member secured to said sleeve, means for moving said shaft and said sleeve, respectively, to different positions to actuate said jaws, and locking devices to retain said shaft and said sleeve, respectively, in their adjusted positions.

34:. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and from the other, of a separating device arranged to grip the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move the edge there of away from the pile, conveying grippers to engage said edge of said sheet, and a cam for imparting movement to said separating device, said cam having operative connec tion with said conveying rippers and the movable member of said printing couple.

35. The combination with a printing couple, one member of which is movable toward and from the other, of a separating device comprising a part adapted to grip the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and capable of both rotatory and bodily movement to move the edge of said sheet away from the pile of sheets, conveying grippers to engage the separated edge of said sheet, a reciprocatory cam-bar connected with said separating device and said conveying grippers to actuate them in timed relation one to the other, and means controlled by the movable member of said printing couple to impart reciprocatory movement to said cambar.

36. In a sheet feed mechanism, a sheet separating device adapted to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move the edge thereof away from said pile, conveying grippers to engage the edge of said sheet, withdraw the sheet from beneath said pile and move the same into a predetermined position and there release it, supporting devices to engage the lower edge of said sheet and support the same in said predetermined position, and delivery grippers to remove said sheet from said predetermined position.

37. In sheet feed mechanism, a sheet separating device adapted to engage the lowermost sheet of a pile of sheets and move the edge thereof away from said pile, conveying grippers to engage said edge of said sheet, withdraw said sheet from beneath said pile and move the same into a predetermined position, said conveying grippers having continuous movement from the point of engagement with said sheet to a point beyond said predetermined position, and means to actuate said grippers during such continuous movement to disconnect the same from the sheet.

38. In a sheet feed mechanism, a sheet separating device adapted to engage the lowermost sheet of. a pile of sheets and the same from the sheet, and means to support the sheet in said predetermined position after it has been released by said conveying grippers.

39. The combination, with a normally fixed platen having its .face in a substantially vertical plane, of conveying grippers having reciprocatory movement across the face of said platen, means for actuating said grippers to cause them to engage a stationary sheet supported near the upper edge of said platen, other means to actuate said grippers during their downward movement to cause them to release said sheet when the latter has been moved into printing position with relation to said platen.

40. The combination, with a printing couple, comprising a normally fixed member arranged in a substantially vertical plane and a member having movement toward and away from said fixed member, of a sheet conveying device, means for causing said conveying device to reciprocate across the face of said fixed member of said printing couple as the movable member thereof moves toward and away from said fixed member and to cause said device to, engage a stationary sheet of paper supported beyond the upper edge of said fixed member, and means to cause said conveying device to release said sheet of paper as said device passes the lower edge of said fixed member.

il. The combination, with a printing couple, comprising a normally fixed member and a member having movement toward and away from said fixed member, of a sheet conveying device, means for causing said 0011- veying device to reciprocate across the face of said fixed member of said printing couple as the movable member thereof moves toward and away from said fixed member and to cause said device to engage a sheet of paper at the upper edge of said fixed member, means to cause said conveying device to release said sheet of paper as said device passes the lower edge of said fixed member, and a movable supporting device controlled by the movement of said movable member to engage the edge of said sheet and support the same in front of said fixed member.

42. T he combination, with a printing couple, comprising a normally fixed member and a member having movement toward and away from said fixed member, of a sheet conveying device, means for causing said conveying device to reciprocate across the face of said fixed member of said printing couple as the movable member thereof moves toward and away from said fixed member and to cause said device to engage a sheet of paper at the upper edge of said fixed member, means to cause said conveying device to release said sheet of paper as said device passes the lower edge of said fixed member, a movable supporting device controlled by the movement of said movable member to en gage the edge of said sheet and support the same in front of said fixed member, and deliver grippers also controlled by the movement of said movable member to remove said sheet after it has been released by said support.

as. The combination with a printing couple comprising a normally fixed member and a member movable toward and away from said fixed member, of gripper conveying devices mounted along theopposite edges of said fixed member for movement in a plane substantially parallel with the face thereof, means for causing said devices to move in timed relation to the movement of said movable member, grippers carried by said devices, means acting on said grippers during.

their travel in one direction to cause them to open as they approach the limit of their movement in said direction and to close at the limit of said movement, and other means acting on said grippers during their travel in the opposite direction to cause them to open as they approach the limit of their movement in the opposite direction. 7

M. The combination with a printing couple comprising a normally fixed member and a member movable toward and away from said fixed member, of gripper conveying devices mounted along the opposite edges of said fixed member for movement in a plane substantially parallel with the face thereof, means for causing said devices to move in timed relation to the movement of said mov able member, grippers carried by said de vices, means acting on said grippers during their travel in one direction to cause them to open as they approach the limit of their movement in said direction and to close at the limit of said movement, other means acting on said grippers during their travel in the opposite direction to cause them to open as they approach the limit of their movement in the opposite direction, and means to cause said grippers to. move away from the face of said fixed member prior to their next movement in the first-mentioned direction.

2L5. The combination, with a printing couple comprising a normally fixed member hav ing its face arranged in a substantially vertical plane and a member movable toward and away from said fixed member, of gripper carrying devices mounted for vertical movement along the opposite edges of said 

